PHOTO BY DAVID HINE Amid an epic state budget impasse that has curtailed social services and upped the state’s backlog of unpaid bills past $8 billion, the Illinois State Fair thrives. Claiming poverty, Gov. Bruce Rauner shut down the state museum and cut funding to preserve the papers of Abraham Lincoln, but when it comes […]
Bruce Rushton
Bruce Rushton is a freelance journalist.
Posted inNews
Disciplinary tribunal dings Cahnman
Former alderman Sam Cahnman A former Springfield alderman is facing a possible 90-day suspension from his legal practice by the Illinois Supreme Court. The case against former Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman argued by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission raises questions about the ability of elected officials who work as attorneys to represent […]
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Welcome to Springfield
Alan Lowe PHOTO courtesy of ALPLM The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum last week welcomed its fifth director since opening day in 2005. Alan Lowe is somewhat a lifer in the world of presidential libraries, having started his library career as an archivist at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California in 1989. He […]
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Farming out work
Less than 90 minutes after quitting time, the last member of this work crew from Mexico emerges, freshly showered, from the bathroom in a house that’s walking distance from a farm where they are employed as construction workers, performing such tasks as welding, installing doors and framing buildings. “Construction of livestock buildings” is the “primary […]
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Running for judge
Pity candidates for judicial posts. While folks running for alderman or mayor or governor or the legislature can talk about darn near anything they want in their campaigns, those who want to be a judge can’t discuss most issues that voters are interested in. How many years in prison should rapists serve? Do you agree […]
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New EPA head’s powers cut
Days after Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed Alec Messina director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the new director’s powers have been altered due to a potential conflict with federal environmental regulations. Prior to joining the Rauner administration as an adviser to the governor last year, Messina was executive director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group, […]
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Congratulations!
One of Jeff and Bree Parsons’ wedding photos, depicting the family on the beach. Photos by Colindres Photography. When last we heard from Jeffrey Parsons, he was in a Texas courtroom, winning a fight to keep financial records from the prying eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, which figures all might not be kosher with […]
Posted inOpinion
Work? What work?
Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood There is courage in politics, they say, and there is also chutzpah. And then there is state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood. State comptroller Leslie Munger stopped issuing paychecks to lawmakers in April, figuring that they should have to wait for their money along with private vendors, universities and tons of other […]
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Fun while it lasted
Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe PHOTO BY DAVID HINE Conceding that he’s behind on paperwork, Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe says that he’s shutting down a fund intended to finance community improvement projects in his ward. The Ward 6 Revitalization and Rehabilitation Fund, launched in 2011, has helped pay for such things as a sign […]
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No free fair
A ride at the Illinois State Fair spins in the darkness. Photo by Patrick Yeagle TEXT
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Deputy put on leave
Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy John Bartello has been placed on administrative leave and is under criminal investigation. The reason, or reasons, why aren’t clear. WMAY radio on Sunday first reported that a deputy had been put on paid leave. According to the radio report, Sheriff Wes Barr refused to say why Bartello had been placed […]
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Let’s make a deal
Laimutis “Limey” Nargelenas The Springfield Park District is eying a deal with the Sangamon County sheriff’s office to provide police protection in parks. The sheriff’s office has given the district a proposal to provide police coverage in parks at an annual cost of nearly $633,000. In addition to a half-dozen deputies, the sheriff’s office would […]
